antcardiostatus

The team is preparing me for discharge. looking forward to getting home. i'll be on a short leash for the time being, so shoot me a txt if you want to hang out sometime. thanks for checking in on me here!

Adam here self reporting - We're still trying to nail down a serviceable plan for anticoagulation, electrolytes, and pain management that feels safe to the medical and surgical teams for discharge. Otherwise things look great. I've got all wound dressings removed and am officially unteathered from IV bags. Had a good wander around the hospital with my man Chad. gorgeous sunny weather. My dear colleague Ching (and Bettya by proxy) stopped by with flowers and treats on Friday. It is feels good to have my teammates rooting for me.

Updates will be less frequent from here on out.  We'll post information about timing of Adam's release as that comes available and he may start to chime in from time to time.  Big thanks to everyone for the well wishes and kindness you've shown Adam this last week.  

Adam has been promoted to the Patient Care Unit ( PCU ).  Single room but he has to share a nurse now.  He is napping now but glad for the progress.  A big milestone.  

Adam has been able to take a few short walks.  He is currently wandering around the ICU with his PT and OT people.  He has appreciated hearing from you all.  So far recovery has gone well.

 Breathing tube is out.  Adam reports he is feeling good and happy with his progress.  It sounds like they'll try and get him up and into a chair for a while today and probably walking tomorrow.  If all goes smoothly out of ICU by Friday and into the regular ward.  He is having a popsicle right now.  His voice is pretty rough and likely will not want to have prolonged conversations.  Best to reach out to him by text for now.  Please don't expect a response from him, but he has his phone and is happy to hear from you.  I'll post some info about visiting later today.

Adam is awake and alert.   He seems in good spirits and can communicate with pen and paper right now.  Hope to get the breathing tube out soon.  

I'm home now.  Before I left the hospital an hour ago Adam had been transferred back to ICU and was resting comfortably.  He looked well cared for.  The nurse said they will probably be slowly bring him 'round tomorrow.  We'll be down there with him. It's not clear when he'll be ready for visitors or even phone calls.  We will let you all know how things progress and how best to reach out to him.  Visits will need to be coordinated a bit.  I'll post more about that tomorrow but seeing a friendly face will certainly be good medicine for him.

Once again, it sounds like everything went as planned.  Some more details about the procedure. Mysterious extrinsic mass was removed.  This was clearly a large clot due to a small leak in the aortic valve assembly.  It has been repaired and they are very confident they have resolved that issue. Pulmonary valve replaced as planned with a bioprosthetic valve. Pacemaker has been replaced and wiring placed differently to avoid chance of infection. No aortic value replacement, it is still functional - no change

Just spoke with the surgeon.   Procedure went as planned.  He will remain sedated overnight.  We will be able to see him tonight and then be back early in the morning before he wakes up.  A few more details in a second post coming soon, but it looks like a great outcome.

Just spoke again with someone on the Navigation team.  They say things are going well.  They relayed that Adam's vitals are strong and he is stable.  No indication on how much longer.  We'll continue to post updates as we get them.

Just heard from the messenger that the team says that things are progressing well so far.  I expect it may be late afternoon before we hear any real specifics.  

Things are getting rolling here.  Adam is in the OR.  I plan to update this page as information becomes available.  Unlikely there will be much new information until some point this afternoon.

Everything is lined up for a 7:00 am start tomorrow Feb 14th.  The hospital ICU has private rooms for recovery and nursing staff to patient ratio is currently 1:1.  Adam has been well tended to and the level of attention is a source of optimism.

Who: ANT What: Right side heart revision including pulmonary valve + conduit. Possible aortic root repair, possible aortic valve replacement. When: 14 Feb 2023 Where: Lucille Packard (Children's hospital adjacent to Stanford) Why: Pulmonary artery pinch due to extrinsic mass intrusion; likely due to small leak in aortic root (TBD)